Tibetan Bowl and Gong Meditation

So yesterday I attended, for the first time, a Tibetan Bowl & Gong Meditation session. I went in without any particular idea of what it was going to be like, nor any expectations of what I would get/feel at the end of it.

The instructor herself was really warm, greeting everybody who walked in with a hug and a smile, which instantly relaxed me. I took my place on a mat that had a pillow and a blanket. Ah, I thought, this would be easy, no sitting up stiffly and hurting my back. I was wrong though. Even though we were lying down, it did get a bit uncomfortable, but we were allowed to move and turn at any point to make ourselves comfy.

Before the class began, the few of us who were first timers were asked to play the bowl if we’d like to see the waves in the water.

It was fascinating, the sound as well as the movement of the water:

We were told that because our brains are 90% water, and our bodies are 70% water… we automatically respond to these vibrations just like the water in the bowl does. I haven’t checked the exact facts/figures on this so let’s just go with this for now. 🙂

So coming to the meditation, at first we were guided into a state of deep relaxation. And once I felt all the tension and stress leaving my body, the music began. At the sound of the first gong itself, I could feel the vibrations and the tingling begin in my body. It was SOOO calming, and so deeply relaxing… it’s actually difficult to describe in words.

I lost track of time as all the gongs, and bowls were sounded in a continuous rhythm, in harmony with each other, producing a kind of music that almost made me feel like I was back in my most natural state, joyful, smiling… in the middle of some forest just listening to natural sounds… water falling, birds flying about and chirping.

Found this excerpt off the internet, it may help describe it better:

According to Tibetan oral tradition, the existence of singing bowls dates back to the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni (560 – 480 B.C.). The tradition was brought from India to Tibet, along with the teachings of the Buddha, by the great tantric master Padmasambhava in the 8th century A.D.

Singing bowls produce sounds which invoke a deep state of relaxation which naturally assists one in entering into meditation, the ultimate goal being enlightenment. They are a quintessential aid to meditation, and can be found on private Buddhist altars, and in temples, monasteries and meditation halls throughout the world.

In addition to their traditional usage for meditation, Tibetan singing bowls are used for deep relaxation, stress reduction, holistic healing, Reiki, chakra balancing, and World music. Many people find that the rich blend of harmonic overtones which the bells produce have a direct affect upon their chakras.

Playing the bells usually causes an immediate centering effect. The tones set up a “frequency following response” that creates a balancing left/right brain synchronization. Meditating on the subtle sounds of the Tibetan singing bowl tunes one in to the universal sound within and without.

And this is something close to what the class looks like:

Once the session was done, she chanted “Om Mani Padme Hum” and the Gayatri Mantra along with “Om” several times. It went perfectly with the vibrations and the energy all around us. And as we walked out, we got a big hug and a smile from the instructor. 🙂

After leaving, I could feel the energy flowing through my entire body for hours and I slept like a baby last night.